Karger suspension may stir county race study

Hundreds of demonstrators, including Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger (in suit), rally May 31 in a peace march inspired by the guilty verdict against 16-year-old Dylan Yang, who was convicted of homicide in March. Marchers walked past the Wausau Police Department, the Wausau School District’s administration building and the Marathon County Courthouse.(Photo: T'xer Zhon Kha/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

WAUSAU - A study on race and equity in the criminal justice system could help repair the relationship between Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger and law enforcement.

Karger proposed the study to inform conversations about race and heal some divides between his office and police. A plan to mend relationships with law enforcement was one of the County Board's terms of his discipline after Karger in May participated in a racially charged march.

Starting late July Karger served a monthlong suspension for his role in the demonstration, at which he expressed solidarity with convicted killer and teenager Dylan Yang, who was arrested at age 15 in Feb. 2015 after he fatally stabbed a 13-year-old boy.

Last week Karger emailed Marathon County Sheriff Scott Parks and asked for feedback on repairing relationships with law enforcement. Karger asked for problems and recommended solutions.

Scott Parks
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Parks responded with a memo after he discussed the matter with his command staff. He referenced the allegations at the demonstration of white supremacy and racism in the justice system here, and he pointed out that state law requires teens to be treated as adults in the justice system when they kill someone.

The demonstration's critique of social injustice and racism did not sit well with police and county staff.

"The entire action caused a divide in the community, especially pertaining to the criminal justice system and law enforcement, that was not present prior (to the demonstration)," Parks wrote.
Yang, now 16, stabbed another teen, Isaiah Powell, in a February 2015 street fight between two groups of boys. Yang was ushered into adult court, as required by state law, and a jury convicted him in March of first-degree reckless homicide.

After the demonstration leaders in the Wausau Police Department and Marathon County Sheriff's Departments questioned whether it was appropriate for Karger to participate. The County Board's Executive Committee launched an investigation that led to Karger's one-month, unpaid suspension.

County Board members also voted that Karger had to make a public statement about his role in the march and develop a plan to soothe relationships with law enforcement.

The research process could bring people together from all sides of the issue, from minority communities and law enforcement, Karger said Tuesday at a meeting of the Executive Committee.
Committee members were receptive but will wait to consider the study along with Karger's other responsibilities for next year. For now, they want him to focus on the budget and drafting a new agreement with neighbor counties and North Central Health Care, said County Board President Kurt Gibbs.

"There's a piece of relationship building," Karger said about the study. "It’s not judgment. It’s about curiosity."

This summer police across the country have played defense against allegations of racism after fatal shootings of black suspects. And the shooting deaths of officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana only increased the tension nationwide.

It's important for officials to know what's happening nationally, as that can influence the local community, Parks wrote in his memo.

An initial review shows Marathon County does not have obvious racial disparities in its justice system, Parks wrote.

"A review of jail bed days displays no indication that a specific race has higher bonds, a longer incarceration rate, harsher sentencing rate, or greater risk during incarceration," Parks wrote. "Law enforcement and the criminal justice system will always respond in a manner that is as professional and proficient as possible, without regard to race, gender, religious, economic or social status."

Police and other law enforcement officers already collect data on race and arrests, which could be useful in a study.

It's not just a matter of looking at the number of minorities in prison compared to minorities in the general population, Karger said. The study could consider social and economic factors as well.
"We want it accurate and correct," Gibbs said.

Board member John Robinson said data and perceptions don't always align, so the county will have to reach out to the community to discuss the results when they're out.

County Board members will consider the study as part of Karger's 2017 work plan and determine later this year whether he has the time to dedicate to it.

As a next step he'll reach out to the University of Wisconsin Marathon County or the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service to get an idea of how to proceed with a study if it's approved.